New Road Frame Wanted - Is Aero the way forward now??

Looking to replace my road frame/groupset and once I’ve swapped parts/sold existing kit etc can get a Scott Addict and Ultegra groupset at a cost of around £850.

However, although Planet X aren’t releasing pricing for a few days yet I’d imaging I’ll be able to get the new Aero N2a and a Ultegra groupset for similar money.

So whilst the Addict isn’t a ‘new’ frame it will be best part of half a pound lighter than the N2a.

But will the aero features of the N2a compensate for the extra weight compared to the Addict?

The thing I don’t get about these aero frames is that presumably you only get the benefits when riding solo or at the front of the group. So if you are going to race crits/ride in groups will the benefit be lost?

This is an interesting one and I think you suggested the problem already, horses for courses!! Within a group I doubt you are not going to be getting the full benifit of aero. If Circuit races are you're thing I would go for stiff over aero unless you are super strong and go for solo wins?

Also noting that I seem to remember reading some where that these aero road bikes function very weel are very high speeds (pro speeds) but below these speeds the advantage is questionable because even when a manufacturer pushes the UCI regs the aero gaining techniques are restricted when compared to true wind cheating TT/Tri bikes...

The general rule of thumb seems to be that aero trumps light weight til you hit 12%

Depends how much aero and how much weight - clearly adding 10kg weight for 1% aero advantage is unlikely to be an advantage on any sort of climb. In the case of a frame, I'd suggest that for the average rider the advantage of an aero frame is tiny (far less than 1%).

would be relatively easy to test with a power meter and the two frames equiped the same.

you should see a need for less power to maintain the same speed on the same road in the same conditions. Doesn't need wind tunnels really, just real world testing in a variety of conditions.

Except if the difference is so small it gets lost in the noise. For a start you'd need a totally wind free day, as a small change in wind would make a significant difference. You'd also have to ensure you were riding in the same position every time, as even a slight change is likely to make more difference to aero drag than a bike frame.

Tbh, if the measurements are so similar that it's impossible to tell if it's some change in body position that's responsible then it's a distinction without any real difference?

Clearly, there is a difference (The difference could be measured in a wind tunnel). And it is strongly suggested the difference is small. But scientifically proving it in a real world test would be very difficult because you are introducing too many variables to the test.

If aero is the new thing, like any roadie trend - it probably is the way to go.

Cervelo make a very convincing argument about aero vs low weight, in favour of aero - they do plenty of testing and can go either way with better designs than most so I'm inclined to believe them. Basically above around average road speed of 17-18mph so much of your effort is in overcoming air resistance that you can save more energy by reducing drag (the bike is a large percentage of total frontal area /edit - total drag I should probably have said..) than you can by reducing weight (bike is a small part of total weight) - within the variations you'll find in common frame constructions. I think it's still on their site.

The TDF Alpe d'Huez mountain TT in 2007(?) saw riders adding mini aero bars - benefits felt to be worth the weight and they average something around 13mph up that?

All depends on how aero the bike actually is, some look very aero but may not have much less drag than a thin tubed steel frame, apparently. It's easy for me to weigh a bike, but to test it's drag? No chance. Handling and stiffness is more important to most of us and we can evaluate that by riding.

No, wouldnt of thought so, unless you really feel the need for more powerful brakes at the moment? I know I dont.

Aero frame might make you go faster, but you'll need to be doing a fair speed to make any really difference. I've heard that deep section wheels only really help when you're doing circa 25mph. Just find the sexiest frame you can and make sure it fits.

As aracer said you're talking tiny advantages. Considering your average punter will stick 20mm of spacers under the stem and touch the drops twice a year when they can reach past their gut, you'll get a bigger difference by bending your elbows a bit and reducing your frontal area!

Intereesting to start hearing more about this N2A in the next few weeks - it looks nice and is priced well so thats 2 of the 3 points I need ticked. Performance in terms of stiffness is the other point.

njee - well yeah, a tuck will help more of course and the variables in a bike frame design aren't huge, but the OP was talking about bike weight vs drag and that's something that people have spent time working on.
Body position aero benefit's a whole other topic.. don't ask me )

Cervelo make a very convincing argument about aero vs low weight, in favour of aero

Nah, pro bikes are easily below the UCI weight limit so there is no point making them any lighter. So you may as well use a little bit of your spare weight you're going to have to put back onto the frame to make it aero - rims, etc.